Lompoc Police Department - the City of Lompoc!

SUPPORT SERVICESThe Support Services Division Commander is Captain Don Deming.This division is responsible for investigating crimes, processing andarchiving information, collecting and preserving evidence, managingthe Lompoc City Jail, Police Communications (Dispatch), dispatchingemergency resources and attending to visitors at the frontcounter/lobby. Captain Larry Ralston had been the Support ServicesDivision Commander until July 1 of the year. He and Captain Demingexchanged roles as is customary after 3-4 years managing eachdivision respectively.COMMUNICATIONS (DISPATCH) - 911The Lompoc Police Department maintains its own dispatch/communication center that isstaffed around the clock every day. The public safety dispatchers receive incoming calls forpolice, fire, and ambulance services within Lompoc. They also receive after hours calls forthe Street Department, Water Department, Electric Department, Solid Waste Department,and the Urban Forestry Department. Dispatchers receive calls over four 911 lines, eightbusiness lines, and six ring-down lines from other departments. During 2011 LPDDispatchers received 15,758 emergency calls via 911. They operate two policefrequencies, one fire frequency and two frequencies used by utility departments. TheCommunications Unit is the nerve center of the Department. Dispatchers are the cruciallink between the public and needed emergency services.CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONSThe Lompoc Police Department’s Investigations Section consists of four full-timeDetectives, a Sergeant and two reserve (retired) officers assigned to investigate crimes thatoccur in the City of Lompoc. Cases are assigned based upon the type of crime (i.e.Property, Juvenile, etc.) This group of dedicated professionals work to identify thoseresponsible for committing an offense, and to insure as best we can, that the perpetrator issuccessfully prosecuted in court. Sergeant Lane Middleton leads this unit, supported byOffice Staff Assistant Karen Niemi.Agent Augustin “Chip” Arias and Detective Mark Powell are both multi-talented and handleinvestigations of persons and property crimes, as well as high-tech / forensic crimesinvolving photos, computers or digital media, cellular devices, and finger prints used asevidence. This unit also works closely with the F.B.I. and other agencies in SouthernCalifornia on a task force to combat internet crimes against children (ICAC). DetectiveSuzie Aanerud investigates crimes involving juveniles where juveniles are victims orsuspects. With Det. Aanerud’s expertise, the department trained all officers on DrugEndangered Children (D.E.C.) investigations. Near the end of 2011 Detective Phil DollmanLompoc Police Department 2011 Annual Report - 16 -